Flora in Kanha National Park

Kanha National Park is the only woodland in the country that brings so much vividness to nature and is home to over 200 species of flowering plants. It is a lowland forest that features a mixture of Sal (Shorea robusta) and other mixed forest trees, mingled with meadows. The moderate and favorable climate, along with varied topography, supports the growth of a rich and varied flora in the Park. Over 70 species of trees are found in Kanha.

Truly considered as Kipling's world that fueled him with such magnificent imaginations, Kanha Tiger Reserve has numerous vegetative attractions around the vicinity for a perfect habitat for jungle beings. The highland forests of Kanha are of the tropical moist dry deciduous type, and bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) on slopes can be discovered differently. The most popular Indian Ghost Tree (Kullu) can also be witnessed in the deciduous area.

The Types of Forest Areas Found in the Kanha Tiger Reserve are :

• Moist Peninsular Sal Forests (3C/C2)
• Southern Tropical Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest (3 A/C 2a)
• Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Mixed Forest (5 A/C-3)

The major floras discovered in Kanha Reserve include Sal, Saja, Lendia, Dhawa, Tendu, Palas, Bija, Mahua, Aonla, Achar, and Bamboo. Besides, many species of climbers, forbs, and grass can also be found here.

Various species of grass are witnessed at Kanha for the survival of the featured species of Barasingha (Cervus duvauceli branderi) in the reserve. Along with that, some aquatic plants in numerous "tal" (lakes) are the lifeline for migratory and wetland species of birds.

For the preservation of the floras, some eco-development processes are being organized for the buffer zone of the Kanha Reserve under the MP Forestry Project. These activities are undertaken by some eco-development committees, including 106 EDCs in the buffer and 25 in the core zone, along with the Reserve Management.

The peripheral villages are also becoming advantageous parts of it, and the eco-development components include:

• Protection, regeneration, and enhancing the productivity of the resources under the forest zones, arranging for fodder, fuelwood, timber, and MFP by providing security to the villagers while assembling for the resources.
• Promoting activities related to the use of non-forest resources to generate incomes.
• Initiating efforts to break the barriers between the forest and other related sectors.